Microsoft is killing off Defender Application Guard for Office
More than a year-and-a-half after announcing its retirement, Microsoft has revealed its plans to fully remove Defender Application Guard from Office.
The journey has been a long a slow one for the this security feature which isolates untrusted Office documents in a virtualized contained. Deprecation was first announced way back in November 2023, and the process of complete removal will not be finished until the end of 2027.
Finally! WhatsApp launches official Apple Watch app with messaging and voice note support
After years of requests, WhatsApp is finally, fully available on Apple Watch. The app gives users access to many of the core messaging functions found on the phone version, including reading and responding to chats, recording and sending voice messages, and viewing photos and stickers.
The new app will allow users to check messages, respond with quick replies, and listen to or send voice notes directly through the watch. If you rely on WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends, family or work, you can now use it while on a run, during a commute, or in situations where using a phone isn’t possible.
Why, finally, all eyes are on OT [Q&A]
Operational technology and IT have historically tended to follow separate paths. But in recent times the spread of Internet of Things devices has seen the two moving closer together.
We spoke to David Montoya, Paessler global business development manager OT/IoT, to discuss how the OT landscape has evolved and why businesses need to be on top of the change.
Microsoft hits Windows 10 users with misleading ‘end of support’ messages
Given the publicity Microsoft has given to the end of mainstream support for Windows 10, there are few users who are unaware if this fact. And with the promotion of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, most are also aware that there is still a way to get updates.
So, there was a mixture of surprise and anger when users signed up to receive Extended Security Updates started it see a message informing them that “Your version of Windows has reached the end of support”.
Microsoft makes its first references to Windows 11 26H1
It may not have been long since Microsoft finally released the Windows 11 25H2 update, but the company is already working away on the next big release. We know little about it, but Microsoft has – perhaps accidentally – released code that makes reference to Windows 11 26H1.
This is the first time that Microsoft has referred to this particular branch of Windows 11 development, lending some credibility to the rumors that this was the next feature update for the operating system. So, what do we know?
Microsoft says irritating update and shutdown bug has been wiped from Windows 11
Like many people, you’ve probably put off installing Windows 11 updates because you need to get on with something else. And if at the end of the day you have selected the “Update and Shut Down” option in the Start menu, you may well have questioned yourself when Windows chose to restart instead.
But this was not you; it was Microsoft’s fault. The company has just admitted to the long-standing issue while quietly fixing the bug that has irritated users for a surprisingly long time.
New AI testing solution helps avoid hallucinations
AI systems are only as dependable as the data and validation that lies behind them. Yet many organizations struggle to test AI models comprehensively across languages, regions, and use cases.
That’s why crowdsourced testing platform Testlio is launching a new, end-to-end AI testing solution as the latest addition to its managed service portfolio.
Agon by AOC announces first QD-OLED gaming monitors
Agon by AOC has announced the first QD-OLED gaming monitors in its AOC GAMING range. The 27-inch Q27G4ZDR and Q27G4SDR introduce OLED panel technology to AOC’s entry-level gaming line, combining QHD resolution with high refresh rates aimed at competitive players.
Both monitors use QD-OLED panels rated for 0.03ms response time and high contrast ratios. The Q27G4ZDR runs at 240Hz, while the Q27G4SDR ramps that up to 360Hz. Each has QHD resolution at 2560x1440 and 10-bit color depth with a reported 1.07 billion colors. The design follows the company’s G4 series styling with slim bezels and a matte finish.
More than half of retailers pay up when hit by ransomware
New research from Sophos into ransomware in the retail industry shows that among organizations that had data encrypted, 58 percent paid the ransom to get their data back -- the second highest payment rate in five years.
The survey, of 361 retail IT and cybersecurity leaders across 16 countries, also finds that 46 percent of attacks began with an unknown security gap, while 30 percent exploited known vulnerabilities. 58 percent of victims with encrypted data paid, however, only 48 percent of attacks resulted in encryption. The median ransom demand doubled to $2 million from 2024 and average payment increased five percent to $1 million.
Ashampoo Backup Pro 27 adds streamlined interface and faster cloud backups
Ashampoo has released Backup Pro 27, an updated version of its backup software designed to help prevent data loss caused by drive failure, malware, or accidental deletion.
Aimed at both home and small business users, the new Ashampoo Backup Pro 27 improves how users create and manage backup plans, and offers faster performance and better support for modern Windows features.
Businesses at risk from boom in IoT devices
New research from Forescout Vedere Labs reveals that 65 percent of devices across organizations are no longer traditional IT. Of these 11 percent are network equipment, while 24 percent are part of the extended IoT, such as IoT, OT and IoMT.
Financial services (54 percent), healthcare (45 percent) and oil, gas and mining (40 percent) are the sectors that have the highest percentages of non-IT devices.
Freepik launches Freepik Spaces to power real time AI visual creation and collaboration
Freepik has introduced Freepik Spaces, a new product within its AI Creative Suite to allow creative teams to design, automate, and collaborate on visual projects in real time. The platform uses a node-based interface that brings the entire creative process onto one shared canvas, so teams can move from concept to campaign within a single environment.
Freepik Spaces is targeting creative directors, advertisers, marketers, filmmakers, innovation leads, and other professionals who work across visual media. Users can connect multiple AI tools and workflows within the same space, doing away with the need to switch between separate applications. The goal is to streamline production and make collaboration easier for distributed teams.
Human error is one of the biggest enterprise email risks
It’s known as an ‘ohno-second’ that moment in time when you realize you’ve clicked send on something you shouldn’t have. But it’s no laughing matter, a new survey of more than 300 security and IT professionals from Abnormal AI highlights the growing threat and business impact of legitimate email messages sent to the wrong recipient.
These misdirected emails can result in data breaches, regulatory violations, remediation costs, and reputational damage. The research shows 98 percent percent of security leaders consider misdirected email as a significant risk when compared to other data loss risks like malware and insider threats.
Trust in AI grows but implementation is slow
New research finds that business trust in autonomous AI is growing, with 57 percent of organizations saying they’re ‘very confident’ in the technology’s reliability in core business processes.
Yet, despite this increasing trust, implementation is lagging. The survey from Insight Enterprises shows that six in 10 organizations are stuck in pilot or experimental phases. Most are deploying AI in low-risk, narrowly defined areas, with only 24 percent using it in production for clearly scoped use cases.
Google Chrome can now fill in passport and driving license details and more
Google has, over the years, added a lot of time-saving features to Chrome. Chief among these are the autofill features which can make light work of filling in forms by automatically entering frequently used snippets of data such as names and addresses.
When it comes to shopping, Chrome can also enter your credit card details for you, so you do not have to keep tracking down the physical card. Now Google has announced new time-saving functions.
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